The price of electricity has increased again with suppliers writing to householders to advise them that the price of electricity in South East Queensland will increase again from 1 September 2023. According to Energy Australia, average households can expect to pay another $295.08 over the year for their electricity.
The price of electricity has increased again with suppliers writing to householders to advise them that the price of electricity in South East Queensland will increase again from 1 September 2023. According to Energy Australia, average households can expect to pay another $295.08 over the year for their electricity.
While we can’t avoid using electricity altogether there are some simple steps you can take to help keep a lid on your electricity needs. We’ve compiled the following list of energy saving tips you can start on today and some longer term opportunities we think are worth exploring.
Before we kick off our exploration of all those energy savings tips, we thought it might be useful to flag a new energy savings program that has recently been announced by the Queensland Government. The Household Energy Savings Program will provide rebates of between $300 and $1000 for eligible Queensland householders who replace 3 star appliances with 4 star-rated (or higher) appliances and hot water systems. Eligible appliances include:
Your kitchen and laundry are the two locations in the home that use the most electricity and is the first place we will start in exploring our energy savings tips.
Is the seal and door hinges on your oven in good condition? Aged seals and hinges mean heat escapes from the oven. As a result the oven needs to work harder to maintain temperature and if you are running an air conditioner at the same time it will need to work harder to maintain the home’s temperature. When using the stove top, use the smallest possible pot and smallest possible heating element for your needs.
Like your oven, your refrigerator’s seals can age. Check your seals to make sure your fridge is cooling as efficiently as possible. While you are at it, check your temperature. If it’s too cold, you can save energy by adjusting the temperature setting. Modern fridges now come with digital temperature settings, taking the guesswork out of setting your thermostat. If you don’t have a digital thermometer built in, pick up a cheap thermometer from the grocery store next time you are there and aim to keep your fridge at 4c to maintain a healthy environment for your food.
Filling the kettle to the minimum line is the most efficient way to heat water for use in your cup of tea. Heating water that you simply won’t use when it is hot is a huge waste of electricity.
Firstly, look to only use the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full. Secondly, use eco settings as much as possible and, if you have an agreement with your electricity supplier that charges different tariffs at different times of the day, delay the start of your machine to the low tariff period. For the washing machine, set your temperature to cold wash when you can.
Many of us have trusty old vented dryers that just won’t give up the ghost, but they are incredibly energy hungry. Using your clothes line or a clothes airer can save a lot of money. As well, many of today’s modern dryers use reverse cycle technology like your air conditioner which is much more efficient than older drying technology, while also having the benefit of not expelling damp air into your house. By way of example, some vented dryers have an energy star rating of 1.5, while heat pump dryers can have a 10 star energy rating. While heat pump dryers are more expensive, the Queensland government’s rebate may assist in upgrading to a new more efficient unit.
It’s great to escape the heat of South East Queensland’s summer by cranking up the air conditioner. However, a simple trick of increasing your temperature by 1 degree, say from 23c to 24c can reduce your power usage on your air conditioner by 5-10%. While we are at it, try increasing how often you clean the filters in your air conditioners. They can quickly become clogged with dust reducing the efficiency of the unit. Ceiling fans are also a great way to reduce your heat, at an extremely low cost. Also, don’t forget to get your air conditioners serviced by a professional as they can maintain parts of the machine homeowners just can’t get to. A well performing system will help keep a lid on your energy consumption. .
It’s pretty well known that LED lights use significantly less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs but don’t forget to turn the lights off when you don’t need them. Appliances that sit in standby mode for long periods of time can also use a considerable amount of power over time. You can save money by simply turning them off at the wall.
We are often told to shop around to get the best deal. Unlike moving mortgage providers or changing where you get your groceries, swapping energy providers is quite simple and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Plans that offer lower tariffs at different times of day might allow you to start appliances during those lower tariffs to bank some savings.
Solar hot water and solar systems are a great way to harness the sun’s energy to reduce your power bills. While these systems have a high upfront cost and there is a payback period, it may be beneficial to take a closer look at these options. Don’t forget, the Queensland Government is currently offering upto $1000 rebate on solar and heat pump systems.
Absolutely. If you have an electricity plan with different time of day tariffs you can program your electrical appliances like dishwashers and washing machines to use electricity during low tariff periods.
The Australian Government’s energy rating site, www.energyrating.gov.au is a fantastic resource for understanding the energy ratings of appliances, making it easy to find the most energy efficient models for your home.
You can start saving electricity today by:
Time of use tariffs operate in the following ways:
Electricity will be cheapest in the off peak period, and most expensive during peak.